Chapter 2004 The whole world is drunk and I am sober
Standing on the clouds of history and looking at the mortal world, seeing all living beings obsessed with self-righteousness and unaware of the bumps in the road ahead, there is a kind of detachment of "everyone is drunk and I am alone sober", but there is also a kind of helplessness of "being angry and unable to fight"... …
The entire Tang Dynasty did not pay much attention to Goguryeo. The lessons learned from the Sui Dynasty's defeat had long been forgotten. There were hundreds of thousands of soldiers, sufficient food and fodder, and high morale. Wherever the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty set his banner, Goguryeo was bound to collapse.
It seems that this is not a national war, but a gluttonous feast of meritorious deeds. Everyone is vying for the first place not to kill generals, seize flags and expand the territory, but just to get a share of meritorious deeds, so as to make a wife, a son, and a glorious family... …
However, Fang Jun knew that Goguryeo had long been prepared to break the cauldron. Once the war started, it would clear the country and retreat while fighting. On the one hand, the troops of the Tang Dynasty were unstoppable, but on the other hand, as expected, they made the Tang Dynasty retreat. Tang gradually penetrated deeper into its territory and lengthened its supply lines.
As long as the Tang army can be delayed until winter comes, the harsh climate and environment in Liaodong will make it more difficult for the Tang army to supply supplies, and since they will be unable to obtain supplies from the occupied cities, they will have no other choice but to withdraw their troops.
In fact, Goguryeo's strategy did achieve victory. His Majesty Li Er personally led the army and marched straight in. They attacked the city all the way until they reached the gate of Anshi City, where they suffered a bloody blow.
For a whole summer, the Tang Dynasty besieged Anshi City and attacked it day and night, but this inconspicuous city still stood tall and unyielding.
In autumn, "it was early cold in the left part of the Liao Dynasty, the grass was dry and the water was frozen, it was difficult for the soldiers and horses to stay for a long time, and the food was running out, and the luggage was unsustainable." His Majesty Li Er had to regretfully order the troops to return to the court.
The battle of Goguryeo started but ended with an end, but it was not the full success...
On the way back to the country, His Majesty Li Er suffered from gangrene and died young soon after. Conquering Goguryeo and incorporating it into the territory of the Tang Dynasty became his unfulfilled dream, surpassing the Qin Emperor and the Han Dynasty to achieve the hegemony of "one emperor through the ages". Naturally disappear into thin air...
An emperor's dream was shattered, half of the empire's wealth was depleted, and the narrow country's bragging rights were achieved for a thousand years.
But there is nothing I can do...
Fang Xuanling asked him: What can you do?
Fang Jun was dejected and speechless.
Because he can't do anything...
The interests of this war have been divided as early as the preparation stage. All forces and factions are in a state of balance under His Majesty Li Er's imperial plan. Whoever dares to interfere will inevitably be Will be torn to pieces by angry vested interests.
The most helpless thing is that even if it is torn into pieces, no one can destroy this situation...
With the arrow on the string, not even His Majesty Li Er can do anything.
Fang Xuanling said warmly: "My son is good at farming. You should know that Mencius said: 'If the farming season is not violated, the grain will not be enough to eat; if a few grains of grain are not entered into the pond, the fish and turtles will not be able to feed; if the axe's weight is used to enter the mountains and forests in time, material "The wood cannot be used." What does this mean? The difficulty of things does not depend on the size of the matter. The key is to know the time and act against the trend. There is always a way to mend the situation. "
His son is a genius, "not learned but skilled". He is not only talented in farming, but also has a master's degree in politics. There are only slight flaws in the character. It is a good thing to have a concern for the country and the people, but there are many mistakes in rushing for quick success and instant benefits.
"A wise man is good at planning, but he is not as good as at that time. Manpower is sometimes poor, so don't be too obsessed and go against nature."
Even if you are not optimistic about the prospects of the Eastern Expedition, you should be patient and wait until the situation collapses before taking action.
What's more, human experience and knowledge are limited. As the saying goes, "It's up to people to succeed, it's up to God." Who can truly confirm that the Eastern Expedition will inevitably fail?
But he didn't know that Fang Jun could really survive this failure...
Even though the Tang Dynasty's military equipment is now more sophisticated than in history, and its supplies of food and supplies are more abundant, Fang Jun is still not optimistic about this Eastern Expedition.
Everyone has selfish motives. It seems that hundreds of thousands of troops are majestic and high-spirited, but they are like a plate of scattered sand. How can they defeat the thousands of people in Goguryeo who are united and united?
Fang Jun sighed and said helplessly: "The general trend of the world is vast. Those who follow it will prosper, and those who go against it will perish... Now that the general trend has become a reality, the child is just worried in his heart. He will never go against the trend and risk his own death. , Father, don’t worry.”
Fang Xuanling said happily: "If you have this understanding, you can rest assured as a father. Things in the world are often not as expected. Even if you are an emperor, you cannot always go as you wish. Now that the imperial edict has been issued, The Sword Festival has been rewarded. Your mission is to rush to the northern border to defend the enemy from the country's gate and prevent Xue Yantuo's cavalry from entering the Great Wall! Within it is the hinterland of Hedong, a vast plain. Once Xue Yantuo's cavalry marches straight in, how many people will be killed and how many cities will be destroyed? Don't think about the nonsense that Xue Yantuo dare not go to war with the Tang Dynasty. War is never the product of reason. There are too many factors that can cause a war, be careful, be careful!”
Fang Jun said solemnly: "My child obeys your orders!"
My heart is awe-inspiring.
Fortunately, he got a warning from Fang Xuanling at this moment, otherwise he would have been helpless about the situation in Goguryeo, and he would have been so depressed and angry that he would have slacked off in dealing with Xue Yantuo, wishful thinking that he would not dare to go to war, but what if?
What if Xue Yantuo and his gang of barbarians went crazy and started a war without hesitation, and they broke through the defense line of the Great Wall without any response and drove straight into the hinterland of Hedong. How could he face the trust of His Majesty Li Er? How to face the Hedong elders?
How to face your true nature?
*****
The snow was falling heavily, and the sky and the earth were silvery white.
The Youtun Guard Camp was very quiet in the wind and snow. The guards in front of the camp gate held their chests and heads high, standing as straight as a spear! The Xuanwu Gate in the distance behind has been covered with a thick layer of white snow at the top of the city, making it look more primitive, thick, and majestic!
Fang Jun led Bu Qu all the way on horseback. When he got outside the camp gate, he dismounted, threw the reins to Bu Qu behind him, and strode toward the camp gate.
The guard's sight was blocked by the wind and snow, and he could not clearly see who was coming from a distance. When he saw the group approaching and wanted to enter the camp, he quickly stepped forward to stop them: "The military camp is an important place, stop idlers!"
Fang Jun stopped, took off the mink hat on his head, and said loudly: "This is Fang Jun!"
The guard was stunned, and quickly knelt down on one knee, performed military salutes, and said: "I am humbled by my position and don't know that the commander-in-chief has returned to the camp. I hope you will forgive me."
Fang Jun chuckled, stepped forward and patted the guard's shoulder affectionately, saying warmly: "Being loyal to one's duties, what's the crime?"
The guard breathed a sigh of relief: "Thank you, Marshal!"
Then he stood up straight.
Fang Jun asked: "Can you generals be in the camp?"
The guard replied respectfully: "They are all here. Recently, there are rumors that the Xue Yan Tuo bandits are in the north. The generals are afraid that the imperial court will send out a large army to attack them, so they stay in the camp at all times and do not dare to leave without permission."
Fang Jun nodded and said: "Very good! Beat the drum and gather the generals!"
The guard was stunned for a moment, and then he was ecstatic and said loudly: "Here!"
He turned around and called a guard to take his place on guard, while he quickly ran into the military camp. As soon as Fang Jun arrived outside the Chinese military tent, a heavy drum beat sounded, echoing in the wind and snow.
Fang Jun looked up at the falling snow and sighed with a heavy heart.
The final military achievement of the Tang Dynasty, the soldiers are eager for war, that is the best way to advance. However, in this weather, the temperature is so cold that the road is difficult to travel. I am afraid that before arriving in Shuozhou, there will be countless frostbite. I heard that Shuozhou is also suffering from continuous frostbite. With heavy snowfall, I am afraid that even if there is no war, the number of soldiers will be seriously reduced...
Taking a breath, he strode into the Chinese army barracks.
The drum sounded three times, and all the generals were already in the barracks.
Xi Jun bought a military uniform, sat on a chair, leaned over to look at Fang Jun, and asked: "Commander, are you going to go on an expedition?"
Of the entire Youtun Guard, Xi Junmai, who was once a general of Fang Jun's family, was naturally the most familiar with him. Xue Rengui, who had a calm personality, would not ask such questions, and Gao Kan, who was unfamiliar with them, did not dare to ask.
But in fact, there is no need to ask more. On such a windy and snowy day, Fang Jun came to the military camp to beat drums and gather generals. What else could he do besides go on an expedition...
Sure enough, Fang Jun, who was sitting in the main seat with Da Ma Jin Dao, waited for the hot tea brought by the orderly and placed it in front of everyone one by one. He reached for the teacup and took a sip. He exhaled and said, "That's it. A certain person has just been honored by the emperor." I have ordered you to lead your army to Shuozhou to guard against Xue Yantuo's army. We will be ready to go immediately within three days to discuss the march. "
Xi Junmai and Gao Kan clapped their hands excitedly and shouted: "That's great!"
Xue Rengui had a worried look on his face: "In this weather, we have to march a long distance straight to the north of the Great Wall. I'm afraid the number of troops will be seriously reduced..." (End of Chapter)